Owing to the long, sweltering summer in the UAE, air-conditioners are in regular use in homes and cars. A car AC provides comfort and protects passengers and drivers from heatstroke. A car’s AC should be in proper working condition to keep the cabin cool for all the passengers. If the car AC isn’t cooling as much as it should or blows warm air instead of cold, then you need to get the air conditioner checked and it’s time to schedule an immediate maintenance appointment with a professional.
In many cases, the reason for a weak car air conditioner is a faulty AC compressor – but that’s not always the case. Let’s explore some other reasons for bad car AC. Moreover, you can save yourself from any inconvenience, if you timely take your car for factory maintenance and check-ups. Moreover, there are a few useful tips to get maximum cooling from your car’s air conditioner. Now let’s find out the causes of weak car AC.
REASONS FOR WEAK CAR AIR CONDITIONER
Poor air conditioning in a car could be due to various factors. Here is a list of factors that may affect the performance of a vehicle’s air conditioner:
LOW CHARGING
Beginning with the most basic, obvious reason for a weak car air conditioner, which is running on low charge. Needless to say, it is also usually the most common reason encountered because unlike other air conditioning systems, you have to recharge your car’s AC intermittently. This issue can be instantly resolved by recharging the refrigerant – either by hiring a professional or at a service centre nearby.
FAULTY AC ACTUATOR
A faulty AC actuator is noticed when the AC is blown in the car at the maximum and the air flaps open. As a result, if this mistake is ignored and persists for a long time, the hot air from the outside conveniently dilutes the cool airflow from the AC, rendering it ineffective. A faulty AC actuator is one of the common reasons why several car owners arrive at car servicing workshops with complaints of weak car AC.
AC COMPRESSOR FAILURE
As we mentioned earlier, a weak car air conditioner that doesn’t cool the air despite the airflow is mostly due to AC compressor failure. It powers the refrigerant under high pressure before the air reaches the condenser, and therefore, with a faulty compressor, the AC won’t work as effectively. In such cases, the compressor has to be repaired. However, it is worthwhile to know that other defects such as electrical faults in the circuit or a leaking refrigerant may also bring about the plight. If you know the signs of a failing car AC compressor then get a certified mechanic at the earliest to inspect issues.
CABIN FILTER DAMAGE
Cabin filter damage ensues inadequate filtering of the debris due to its malfunctioning. Cabin filter has the important function of separating dust particles that enter from the front-end during driving. In circumstances where the filter has stopped working or is not properly functioning, the debris accumulation easily damages the motor fans and in turn, the car AC condenser.
OVERHEATED ENGINE
An overheated engine does more damage to the car’s AC than you can imagine. It renders the fan in the radiator ineffective that stops the condenser from cooling the air. In addition, it also impacts the maximum efficiency of the refrigerant to blow the hot air inside the car, thereby affecting the overall working of the car’s AC.
As in other cases, you would want to consult a professional’s assistance to fix this issue at your earliest so that the servicing avoids any further imminent troubles of the car’s AC.
DAMAGED MOTOR FANS
The accumulation of dust, dirt and debris on the motor fans result in its damage, thereby obstructing the passage of cool air to the condenser. Damaged motor fans lead to blowing of warm air despite the air conditioning switched on for it has blocked the condenser to cool the airflow.
CONDENSER DAMAGE
A weak car air conditioner could be due to a damaged AC condenser. Dirt and debris from the road and outside might only block the condenser but result in its complete breakdown. This can be checked by inspecting the front of the car condenser blocked or damaged by the road debris. Therefore, it is better to get it repaired at the earliest.
DAMAGED BELTS AND HOSES
Your car’s air conditioning system is equipped with several hoses and belts that work together to operate the system. If there’s any sort of damage, leak, detachment, or blockage to these components, the impact will prevent proper airflow from the vents.
DAMAGED BLOWER MOTOR OR RESISTOR
Like the fans in a room, the blower motor is what pushes the air through the vents in the car. A blower resistor, similarly, works in unison with the blower motor to control the level of air production flowing through the vents, usually based on your preference. Any damage to these two critical components, either from wear and tear or due to age, immediately affects the AC’s functioning. Again, you may not be able to determine the damage by yourself so it’s best to get expert help.
ELECTRIC ISSUES
Different electrical issues may hamper the working of your car’s AC such as a short circuit in the electrical unit. Given the temperature of the UAE that rises well above 40 degrees and beyond, this can be a likely occurrence. At 45 degrees, the electrical wires can easily get hot enough to cause an internal short circuit.
LEAKING AC REFRIGERANT
A leaking AC refrigerant is another probable cause of malfunctioning the car’s AC. It is the job of the refrigerant to keep the cabin cool and maintain the cool airflow. Most often, the leakage may occur if your car has met an unexpected accident around the same time. The impact of force causes the AC hose to leak from the joints while the oily substance gathers around it. A visual inspection can also be enough to identify the damaged refrigerant needing repair. Remember, in maximum cases, a leaking refrigerant is the usual cause of a weak car air conditioner.
BLOWN UP FUSE
Blown up or burnt fuse in a car fuse box is another common reason affecting the car’s AC cooling. The easiest way to identify it is to get your car checked by a professional. A blown-up fuse not only stops the compressor from working but also spreads warm air inside the cabin. It may also affect the entire circuit installed inside the car, leaving the healthy switches malfunctioning in the circuit board. As a result, you might face a lot of trouble than just a bad AC on a hot summer day
Therefore, if you are encountering similar faults when trying to access the AC, it is better that you head to a car service provider or a mechanic as soon as possible.
Other Reasons for Poor Air Conditioning in a Car
If your car’s AC is not in use for a long period of time, there could be several other factors that may affect its performance. Besides, when you are commuting with kids, they might switch on and off the car’s air conditioner, playfully. This may cause the condenser to break, as the engine could not bear such frequent pressure.
Moreover, if the condenser is too old and has not been serviced regularly then there is a greater chance of the condenser breakdown.
It is therefore recommended to check your car’s air conditioner before you plan for a long road trip in summer to avoid any inconvenience.
Now you know the reasons for bad car ac in your car, hence, when you encounter a problem you should head to the service centre or a professional technician. Besides, timely maintenance and service of AC may help avoid any sort of inconvenience. In case the air conditioner is not repairable or any other auto part is damaged that may affect the car and AC’s performance, get those replaced immediately. You can even order auto accessories and parts in the UAE online or visit a store nearby. But, make sure the part you order fits with your car’s model.
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